‘The Lonesome Crowded West,’ New Modest Mouse Documentary

For better or worse, Pitchfork has a reputation for celebrating obscurity in music. But its new documentary, “The Lonesome Crowded West,” illuminates Modest Mouse’s breakthrough 1997 album in a way that’s honest and accessible.

Part of Pitchfork TV’s “Classic” series, the 45-minute documentary was released Monday on the outlet’s website, where it can be viewed it in all of its widescreen glory. But it can also be seen here.

The scene is set in the “mall-fucked” suburbs of post-grunge Seattle, where in the mid-‘90s, Modest Mouse are one of many bands on the periphery. But interesting stories can come from the fringes, and that’s exactly what the documentary captures.